A Come-From-Behind Monon Thriller Returns the Bell to DePauw, 24-21

November 10, 2007

November 10, 2007, Greencastle, Ind. - [Download Video: "A Fantastic Finish" - 3822kb] The 114th football battle between DePauw University and Wabash College is one they'll be talking about many years from now. Sophomore Jordan Havercamp connected on a 47 yard field goal -- his second career 3-point attempt and first this season -- as time expired, giving the Tigers a thrilling, come from behind victory over the Little Giants, who came into the game 9-0 and ranked #7 in NCAA Division III.

DePauw ends its season with an 8-2 record. Wabash takes a 9-1 record into the playoffs, which begin next weekend.

Havercamp, who transferred to DePauw from Denison University, had one unsuccessful field goal attempt for his former school last season. The ball sailed right through the middle of the uprights, and DePauw fans responded by storming the field in celebrating the Tigers' first Bell triumph since 2004.

The Tigers got the ball back with 1:23 left to play after Jevon Pruitt intercepted a Matt Hudson pass at the DePauw 4 yard line. The home team marched down the field and set up the game-winning field goal with a series of plays that culminated with a time out called with 2 seconds left on the clock.

During the time out, DePauw coach Matt Walker '99 told his players, [Download Video: "Coach Walker '99 Speaks" - 2811kb] "Guys, there's not too many times you get a chance with a dead ball to go out on the field and say this play is going to decide the chance to take home the Monon Bell or not. And I said, 'Do everything you can. They're saying the same thing, they're gonna come as hard as they can, and let's go get the Monon Bell' and everybody came through. What a great football game," he exclaimed, calling it "an atmosphere unlike any other in college sports."

Another 3 minutes elapsed on the game clock and Wabash regained a seven point advantage when C.P. Porter scored from 2 yards out. [Download Video: "14-7 Little Giants" - 1222kb] The Little Giants went to the half with a 14-7 lead after stopping a late DePauw drive at the 1 yard line.

In the third quarter, Dick shoveled a pass to Marks who scampered 36 yards for a score. [Download Video: "Dig This" - 1423kb] The extra point attempt was no good, however, making it 14-13 Wabash.

Wabash still leads the all-time series 53-52-9, while DePauw extended its lead in games played for the Monon Bell to 36-34-6.

Today's breathtaking finish recalled the 1955 Monon Bell Classic, which ended when Fred Williams was successful on his first career field goal attempt as time expired. That moment was captured on film and can be relived in this clip: [Download Video: "1955 Monon Memory" - 6739kb].

Comprehensive coverage of today's thriller can be found at the football team's Web page. A photo gallery, including about 250 images from today's game, can be accessed here. Audio of WGRE's live broadcast of the game is archived here.